< previous page page_301 next page >

Page 301
be able to ignore his murder or allow his murderer to escape.
Unfortunately the king's sunny temper did not long outlast his arrival at Portsmouth on the 12th of December. The first blow fell when the messenger he sent to announce his visit to Roselynde returned to say -he would not be welcomed there.
"What?" John shrieked, utterly delighted. "Do Lord Ian and his lady defy me? Do they cast my favor, my wish to do them honor, back in my teeth? By Christ's toenails"
"No, my lord, no!" the messenger cried, blanching and backing away slightly. "They are not there. No one save a few men-at-arms and the serfs are there. The keep is bare of provision, the garderobes are full and stinking. No insult was intended."
That was the last thing that John wanted to hear; however, his rage was held in check for an instant by the notion that he might take Roselynde Keep without loss or trouble. The happy thought did not hold him long. The noblemen with him would never countenance such an act perpetrated against a loyal vassal; it would cause more trouble than murdering de Vipont outright. Fortunately for the messenger, his next remark suggested an equally satisfactory notion.
"They are gone to Iford, my lord, on progress."
"Iford?" John purred, suddenly alert.
It had been Sir Giles of Iford who pretended to concur with his wishes and then had betrayed him, who had helped Simon trick the garrison of Kingsclere into admitting them. Once in the keep they had wrested Alinor, who was John's prisoner in her own stronghold, from his hands. John had not forgotten Sir Giles. Well, the move to Iford did no violence to his plans. If anything, it was helpful. Sir Giles could die at the same time as de Vipont. In addition, it would be safer to do the work at Iford. The king realized he could rid himself of most of the noblemen who were inconveniently hanging

 
< previous page page_301 next page >